Pages

Friday, 14 June 2013

Golden Galloping Horses, Martello Tower No.74 and 1664

"Golden Galloping Horses" :- I thought I would take this opportunity to offer you all a different view of a subject that I have photographed many many times over. I usually make sure that the English Channel forms the background but for this shot I turned to face the other way so that the sea was behind me and let the promenade and buildings along Brighton seafront do the work. In 1870 the carousel was revolutionised by Frederick Savage, an English engineer who designed one of the first up-and-down cranking machines that gave the horses their galloping motion. The "Golden Gallopers Carousel" on Brighton beach was built in 1888 by Frederick Savage at his workshop in Kings Lynn. Once its construction was completed it went "on tour" for more than 20 years around England before it was shipped it to the USA. In 1990 it eventually made its return to the UK and was bought by Owen Smith in 1997 and placed on Brighton beach and promenade where it has remained ever since.

"Martello Tower No.74" :- This tower has stood overlooking the English Channel at Seaford on the coast of England for just over 200 years. It was built between 1806 and 1810 as part of the defences against Napoleon's threat to cross the channel. All in all 103 towers were built along the English coastline, this one at Seaford (no.74) was built as an after-thought when they realised that Newhaven ( a nearby town and port) was not adequately defended. The tower is now a museum.

"1664" :- A simple shot but full of mood and warmth. A chilly and grey afternoon in the English countryside is soon brightened up by taking refuge in a country pub. We'd sat chatting and eating the fine pub fayre and had then finished off the session with another drink. The shot that i captured here was an afterthought as I'd nearly finished my drink but liked the light that was pouring in and hitting the wood. By the way, the pub in question was "The Six Bells" in the village of chiddingly, Sussex, England.